The NCAA has announced that the postseason bans for the University of Missouri football, baseball, and softball teams will not extend into the 2020-2021 seasons, ending the punishment doled out as a result of academic misconduct, from former tutor Yolanda Kumar completing coursework for 12 student-athletes.
In addition to all three teams being ruled ineligible for postseason play in the 2019-2020 year, the squads also suffered through scholarship losses and restrictions on recruiting. Athletic Director Jim Sterk, shortly after the NCAA had suspended the spring sports season through mid-April, had asked the NCAA specifically if the postseason ban would extend through next season, given the extraordinary sports climate brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
With a new coach and solid recruiting results bringing juice into a stagnant football program, hopes for fall are increasing for the Missouri fanbase behind Eliah Drinkwitz. The often- overlooked Tiger softball and baseball teams were each having solid campaigns prior to the COVID-19-blamed season suspension, with the softball Tigers sitting at 3-0 in SEC play and 19-7 overall, with the MU baseball team at 11-5 just prior to starting conference competition.
